LUFC Grayson - Players in and out in January

Leeds United boss Simon Grayson says they will definitely be looking to strengthen the squad when the January transfer window opens whilst some will be leaving.

Leeds are currently in sixth place in the championship table and Grayson will be wanting to bring in the players to help Leeds push for promotion in the second half of the season.

Speaking in the Yorkshire Post, Grayson said, "We are looking at targets and certain positions. I am not going to sit here and tell you what they are, but we will be looking to strengthen in January.

"Since pre-season, we have been analysing players and who might be available. I have had a meeting with the chairman this week and we do have a few targets in mind.

"Hopefully, we can go and get what we need to improve the team and the squad."

Leeds signed just three players during the summer but added to the squad once the season started.

Finnish duo Mikael Forssell and Mika Vayrynen both signed full time contracts whilst Darren O`Dea joined on a season long loan from Cletic.

Andy Keogh and Danny Pugh both signed on loan until January, with Leeds stated that a deal has already been done with Pugh`s parent club Stoke City for the midfielder to sign a full time deal with Leeds in January.

Keogh has also expressed a desire to stay with Leeds past his loan deal in January.

Grayson also stated that a number of players will leave during the January transfer window as he looks to free up some wages for any new signings. "It is no secret we will have to let one or two players go to give them the opportunity to play first-team football. That would also free up a bit of money to go and allow us to bring players in," he continued.

Alex Bruce is currently on loan with League One side Huddersfield Town with the possibility of the deal being full time when the transfer window reopens.

Goalkeeper Paul Rachubka only signed for Leeds in the summer from Blackpool but after a disastrous spell in the Leeds goal, he was allowed to join League One side Tranmere Rovers until January to regain his confidence.

It is very questionable whether Grayson would ever risk putting Rachubka back in the Leeds goal with the pressure that would be on him in front of the Leeds fans.

Andy O`Brien has stated that he never wants to play for Leeds again. The defender turned down a loan move to fellow championship side Bristol City in November but he must surely be leaving in January.

Leigh Bromby has made just six appearances this season and he could be another on his way out.

Ben Parker has made just nine appearances in the last two and a half seasons and has just returned to full fitness. Grayson may use the transfer window as an opportunity for Parker to go out and gain some much needed match fitness. Parker is out of contract in the summer at Elland Road.

Grayson has often used the loan window to send out some of his youngsters to gain much needed first team football experience. Alex Cairns, Zac Thompson and Charlie Taylor have all tasted a brief spell in the Leeds first team this season and they could be loaned out for more experience.

Whilst some will definitely be leaving in January, Grayson will be hoping to add onto some of his key players who have been linked with a move away from Elland Road.

Leading goalscorer Ross McCormack is being linked with a number of Premier League sides and last season`s leading goalscorer Luciano Becchio is being linked with a move to Middlesbrough.

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